The fountain of life opened, or, A display of Christ in his essential and mediatorial glory wherein the impetration of our redemption by Jesus Christ is orderly unfolded as it was begun, carryed on, and finished by his covenant-transaction, mysterious incarnation, solemn call and dedication ... / by John Flavell ...

Inference 4.

Lastly, if Christ sanctified himself, that we might be s••ncti∣ed by [or in] the truth,* 1.1 then it will follow by found consequence, that true sanctification is a good evidence that Christ set apart him∣self to dye for us. In vain did he ••anctifie himself (as to you) unless you be sanctified.* 1.2 Holy Souls only can claim the benefit of the great Sacrifice. O try then, whether true holiness (and that is only to be judged by its conformity to its pattern, 1 Pet. 1.15. As he that called you is holy, so be ye holy) whether such an holy∣ness as is, and acts (according to its measure) like Gods holi∣ness; in the following perticulars, be ••ound in you.

First, God is universally holy in all his ways, so Psal. 145.17. His works are all holy; what ever he doth, it's still done as becomes an holy God. He is not only holy in all things, but at all times un∣changeably holy. Be ye therefore holy in all things, and at all times too, if ever ye expect the benefit of Christs sanctifying himself, to dye for you.

O Brethren, let not the Feet of your conversation be as the Feet of a lame man; which are unequal, Prov. 20.7. be not sometimes hot, and sometimes cold, at one time carefull, at a∣nother time careless. One day in a spiritual rapture, and the next, in a fleshly frolick; but be ye holy 〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉 1 Pet. 1.15. in all manner of conversation, in every creek, and turning of your lives; And let your holiness hold out to the end. Let him that is holy, be holy still, Rev. 22.11. not like the Hypocrites paint but as a true natural complexion.

Secondly, God is examplarily holy. Jesus Christ is the great pattern of holiness. Be ye examples of holiness too, unto all that are about you. Let your light so shine before men, that they may see your good works, Matth. 5.16. as wicked men infect one another by their examples, and diffuse their poison and malignity whereever they come, so do ye diffeminate godliness in all places, and com∣panies; and let those that frequently converse with you; especi∣ally those of your own Families, receive a deeper Dye and Tin∣cture of heavenlyness, every time they come nigh you, as the cloth doth, by every new dipping into the Fat.

Thirdly, God delights in nothing but holiness, and holy ones, he hath set all his pleasure in the Saints. Be ye holy herein, as God

is holy. Indeed there is this difference betwixt Gods choice, and yours. He chooses not men because they are holy, but that they may be so. You are to chuse them for so your delightful Compani∣ons, that God hath chosen, and made holy. Let all your de∣lights be in the Saints, even them that excel in vertue, Psal. 16.3.

Fourthly, God abhors and hates all unholiness: do ye so also, that you may be like your Father, which is in Heaven. And when the Spirit of holiness runs down thus upon you, a sweeter evi∣dence the World cannot give, that Christ was sanctified for you. Holy ones may confidently lay the hand of their Faith, on the head of this great Sacrifice; and say Christ our Passover, is sacri∣ficed for us.

Notes

• * 1.1

  Infer. 4.
• * 1.2

  N••que enim sic sanctifi••avi•• se∣meti••sum Chri∣stus pro nobis, ut nos manea∣mus pro••ani; & alieni à com∣munion•• spiritus, & sanctificati∣onis illius.

  Qui illiuss••••t expertes, fru∣stra sibi com∣m••rcium Chri∣sti pollicentu••, Musculus in loc.